"Road Rangers" Now Patrol I-95 In Volusia & Flagler

Daytona Beach, FL - Motorists in Florida can breathe a bit easier now knowing there's more help on the highway.

The Florida Department of Transportation has announced that it now has Road Rangers patrolling all sections of interstates in Central Florida.

"Now we have I-95 where we have the Road Rangers starting in Brevard County and working their way up all the way to Flagler County," said Steven Olson, Communications Manager for FDOT Central Florida.

Road Rangers assist motorists with disabled vehicles and help provide assistance during traffic incidents with flashing lights and other visual lighted signage that urges drivers to give first responders space.

"So what the Road Ranger will do is they'll go there and help you out," said Olson. "And in addition, they provide that visual stimuli that shows 'somebody is here, move on over, we're working her to get this car on the road.'"

The Road Rangers also help change tires, assist those who have run out of gas, and do minor fix-ups to get motorists moving again.

In doing so, it helps reduce congestion and crashes, according to FDOT.

Olson says that the Road Rangers are part of a five-year, $7.3 million contract with AutoBase Inc., who will provide the Road Ranger crews.

The contract states that five Road Rangers will patrol I-95, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

However, if a motorist needs assistance and a Road Ranger has not seen them, they can call *FHP (*347) on their phone. The call will be routed through FHP dispatch so the motorist can ask for a Road Ranger's help.